Nuevo & B'way EK owners: advice please?

The Broadway FB is sold at 3500 but the payload is then negligible so most people have it upgrade to 4000 on purchase or very soon after (although I do know someone well who is managing at 3500).

We have gone through this process and now have a Broadway EB. We have been 'sensible' about what we transferred to the new van but have got all we need including toolbox, Cadac, etc and still have lots of spare locker space.

Our very large (and old) Lafuma recliners strap behind each of the cab seats without intruding at all and when we want to turn the cab seats around they fit between the back of the seat and dash.

A stand alone awning would be transported in the shower. We are testing how things go without silver screens and the microfibre towel i got for the purpose is coping well with condensation on the inside of the windscreen.

We did think about down plating the Malvern so weighed it in a ready to go situation but without clothes and Lafumas - it came in at 3700 of the 3880 so we reckoned we'd have to reduce payload by 400kg to operate at 3500 so a none starter for us.

The area under the bed of the Malvern (2011) was cavernous as I'd remover the mechanism for inclining the beds and there were no services under there as there are in later models and I really didn't think we could manage without it but we've had four trips in the Broadway now with no issues. It would have helped to have the front locker in the Broadway rather than the extra skylight but we've found that a Duvaly and pillow in a locker each still leaves us with plenty of storage. The wardrobe and large drawers in the bathroom make all the difference, I think we would be struggling with an EK layout.

We downsized considerably from a largish 5 door tow car and caravan with fixed berths and end bathroom to the Nuevo EK and had no problems.  I have strapped two folding chairs to the bike rack in lieu of a bike but our preference is to carry them in the shower along with our water roll.  On pitch they are the first things to come out.  Our Duvaleys fit snuggly under the o/s bench seat having moved the battery forward and laterally in the locker.  Pillows go in the spaces above the cab.  The cab windows' screen goes under the n/s bench seat or in the shower if it's wet.  In the summer we pack a George Forman grill and largish windbreak under the n/s bench seat and still have room to spare.  We don't have a stand alone awning.  I keep heavy food items in two storage baskets on the floor behind the cab seats which does not stop them from swivelling.  We like the Nuevo's compactness and short wheel base and wouldn't swap it for anything larger.

At the beginning of every season prior to the habitation check I empty everything out of my Nuevo EK

On my return home I only refill the motorhome with the essential items that I know I always need with me and then items I need for the trip I’m going on.
(this can change trip to trip)

If I’m traveling on my own the wife and dogs items don’t come along and only one chair, aqua roll stays at home as I use the motorhome when away to get around so can easily refill the water as I need it.

Really looking forward to being out in the motorhome this year, booked 3 rallies ASOC & CAMC and will be booking more as soon as I’m able.

Terry

I have found the rear axle mass and rear tyres load limit are the limiting factors.  On 3500 kg Nuevo/Broadway the axle limit is 2000 kg.  If standard 109 load rated tyres are fitted, the limit on each tyre is 1030 kg which make a total axle load of 2060 kg.  However, from a road safety perspective and due to the risk of overloading and uneven loading, TyreSafe recommend that no more than 90% of this is used which limits the axle load to 1854 kg.